Management of Chronic Liver Disease in Dogs Gi Short Course

Antibiotics Antibiotic therapy is indicated for treatment of suppurative hepatitis, cholangiohepatitis and hepatic encephalopathy, and prevention of septicemia. The bactericidal function of the hepatic reticuloendothelial (RE) system may be compromised in hepatic disease, especially if hepatic blood flow or oxygen tension is altered, resulting in septicemia. In hepatic bacterial encephalopathy, antibiotics are used to help reduce colonic bacterial numbers in an effort to decrease ammonia formation. Cholangitis has several causes, including bacterial invasion, which warrants antibiotic therapy. The regimen may be modified in accordance with specific information obtained from cultures of bile, hepatic tissue or blood. In cases of compromised hepatic RE function (e.g. hepatitis from any cause, septicemia) the antibiotics selected generally are directed against intestinal organisms.